By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Federal Government against using state institutions to influence the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.
Atiku said the Osun election represents an important test of Nigeria’s democratic credentials, urging institutions involved in the poll to remain impartial and allow voters to freely determine the outcome.
Speaking at the ADC National Youth Leadership Summit in Abuja, the former vice president expressed concern over the scale of security deployment for the election, saying it could create the impression of a military operation rather than a civil democratic exercise.
“Elections are civil engagements, not military operations. Ballot papers are not bullets. Voters are not enemy combatants. Opposition members are not insurgents,” he said.
Atiku questioned the level of security deployment for the election, particularly at a time when terrorists, kidnappers and bandits continue to attack communities and kill Nigerians across the country.
He also cautioned INEC against actions that could frustrate voters or undermine confidence in the electoral process, including technical failures, unexplained delays and a lack of transparency in the handling of results.
The ADC presidential candidate called for the timely distribution of electoral materials and unhindered access to polling units for eligible voters.
He further demanded transparent voting, counting and transmission of results, saying the credibility of the Osun election would depend largely on the conduct of institutions responsible for the process.
“The police belong to Nigeria. The military belongs to Nigeria. INEC belongs to the Nigerian people. None of them belongs to the APC,” he declared.
Atiku said Nigerians and members of the international community would be closely watching the conduct of the Osun governorship election.
He urged the police, military, INEC and other relevant institutions to perform their constitutional responsibilities without favouring any political party or candidate.
“The world is watching Osun. Nigerians are watching. History is taking notes. Let the people vote. Let every vote count. And let the will of the people prevail,” Atiku said.
The former vice president also addressed the controversy surrounding the certificate President Bola Tinubu submitted to INEC, renewing his call for clarification over what he described as discrepancies in documents linked to the certificate.
Atiku claimed that the certificate submitted to INEC reportedly bears June 22, 1979, while another document associated with Chicago State University records bears June 27, 1979.
He also raised questions over reported differences in the signatures appearing on the documents and the description of the degree contained in them.
According to Atiku, questions also arise from the appearance on documents dated 1979 of names or signatures allegedly associated with university officials whose tenures reportedly began years later.
He asked whether replacement certificates were subsequently issued and, if so, who authorised their production.
Atiku cited Section 137(1)(j) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides for disqualification where a presidential candidate has presented a forged certificate to INEC.
He argued that the specific document submitted to the electoral commission should be authenticated to establish whether it is genuine.
“Who produced the certificate Tinubu submitted to INEC? When was it produced? Who authorised it? Why does it differ from the other version, and does Chicago State University authenticate the exact document submitted to INEC?” he asked.
Atiku maintained that public office holders should be held to the same standards expected of ordinary Nigerians when questions arise over their credentials.
“If a young Nigerian would be required to explain such discrepancies before getting an ordinary job, why should the man seeking Nigeria’s highest job be exempt from the same standard?” Atiku asked.
The ADC presidential candidate also spoke about youth participation in Nigerian politics, pledging that at least 30 per cent of legislative candidates under his political programme would be below the age of 40.
He said a significant proportion of those candidates would also be below 30, stressing the importance of creating greater opportunities for young Nigerians to participate directly in governance.
Atiku urged Nigerian youths to convert their frustration with the political system into organised participation and sustained political engagement.
“Anger is not an organisation. A hashtag is not an organisation,” Atiku said, urging young Nigerians to move beyond online expressions of frustration and take an active role in shaping the country’s political future.
